FARMINGTON — A smoldering electrical short circuit that set off a fire alarm caused a ruckus at the Valley View Community School on Monday morning.

Though there was no flame, the short circuit on the jockey pump of the sprinkler panel produced a small amount of smoke.

When the jockey pump failed, the fire pump kicked on, producing carbon monoxide. Chief Richard Fowler said it is typical of the pump to produce carbon monoxide in small levels. Typically concern begins when carbon monoxide levels reach 10 ppm, while levels at the school only reached a level 6-8 ppm.

“We made sure kids were not exposed,” said Fowler.

The school was evacuated for roughly 10 minutes as a precautionary measure when the fire alarm went off around 10 a.m. After the evacuation, the school was ventilated by exhaust fans on the first and second floor.

“At no time was anybody at the school in danger,” said Fowler of the minor incident.

He said the sprinkler system was not set off by the minor smoke.

The fire is still being investigated and the panel is being dealt with. Fowler said the short circuit was determined to be accidental and not suspicious.